Press Releases

Hot Car Dangers as Temperatures Rise Reminder

Post Date:06/05/2019 1:25 PM

Fresno County Department of Social Services reminds of hot car dangers as temperatures rise

FRESNO, CA, Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – With summer approaching and temperatures on the rise, the Fresno County Department of Social Services wants to remind parents and caregivers about the life-threatening dangers of leaving a child in a hot car.

On average, there are 38 child deaths each year due to vehicular heat stroke across the nation. In as little as 10 minutes, the temperature inside a parked car can reach as high as 125 degrees. Cracking the windows or parking in the shade does not prevent the car from reaching dangerous temperature levels.

A child’s body temperature heats three to five times faster than an adult, and if their body temperature reaches 107 degrees it can be fatal.

The following tips are critical in helping you to avoid tragedy:

Never leave a young child alone, in or around cars, even for one minute.

Always check the back seat by opening the back door, ensuring no child is left behind, before locking and leaving your vehicle.

Rear facing car seats can be deceiving. Leaving a stuffed animal in the car seat when it is not in use and then setting it in the front passenger seat when a child is placed in the car seat, can serve as a visual reminder.

Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway.

Ask home visitors and care providers to do the same.

Keep car keys and remote openers out of the reach of children.

If you see a child alone in a car, call 911 immediately.

The Department of Social Services is committed to the safety of all children in our community. To report abuse or neglect of a child, please call (559) 255-8320. For questions on becoming a foster parent or other questions you may have, please call 1-877-533-KIDS (5437).